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Kinkakuji,  a  zen  temple,  is  one  of  the  most  popular  buildings  in  Japan.




               Famously known as the’ Golden Pavilion’, it is the symbolic image of Kyoto in



               all its Golden splendour. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the



               retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will




               it became a Zen temple after his death in 1408. Kinkakuji is an impressive




               structure  which  has  been  burned  down  numerous  times  throughout  its



               history, including twice during the Onin War, a civil war that destroyed much




               of Kyoto; and once again more recently in 1950 when it was set on fire by a



               fanatic monk. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955. It is designated as a




               National Special Historic Site and a National Special Landscape. The Golden



               Pavilion is set in a magnificent Japanese strolling garden. The pavilion grounds




               were built according to descriptions of the Western Paradise of the Buddha





               Amida, intending to illustrate a harmony between heaven and earth.



               Located at Kita Ward, Kinkaku-ji is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Admission is




               ¥400.
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